2014 Literacy Grants

2014 Literacy Grants

Article excerpt

Literacy Grants support endeavors that build and otherwise encourage the knowledge, confidence, and related benefits that derive from reading, math, science, and computers, among other fields. Phi Kappa Phi chapters and active members are funded for ongoing projects or new initiatives that reinforce part of the Society's mission "to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Fourteen out of 60 applicants, or about 23 percent, were awarded up to $2,500 apiece this year. Including 2014, 164 recipients have earned Literacy Grants totaling upward of $315,000 since the program began in 2003.

Patenthelical school is the grantee's Phi Kappa Phi chaplet

Akap Aklat

The Daanbantayan local government and the University of the Philippines chapter renovate libraries at four elementary schools damaged by the November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan. Renovations include repairs to roofs, walls, and floors and installing bookshelves, chairs, and tables. Also, books collected throughout the year will be donated. "Akap aklat" means "endearing books" in Tagalog. (Ancilla Inocencio, UP chapter former student vice president)

Candy for the Mind

Costumed kids gobbled up more than 2,000 new and gently used children's books at Austin Peay State University's annual G.H.O.S.T. (Great Halloween Options for Safe Trick-or-Treating) event. For 11 consecutive years, the APSU chapter has hosted book drives and scared up donations to provide delectable "Candy for the Mind" in lieu of traditional Halloween sweets. (John Blake, APSU chapter president)

Handmade Literacy

Bloomsburg University faculty and student chapter members partner with the campus toy lending library to educate elementary and middle school children on community needs. Literacy-based service projects include fashioning inspirational banners for resident rooms at assisted living facilities and nursing homes and handcrafting cards for displaced children and their families residing at hospitality houses. (Mary Katherine Waibel Duncan, Bloomsburg former chapter president)

Improving Literacy

Using skills learned through high-interest content area literacy activities, 100 first graders at West Jackson Primary School in Braselton, Ga., research, write, and illustrate their own book, participate in a video interview, and promote and sign their work at an "Author of the Day" event. The project underscores reading, writing, creativity, listening, speaking, and critical thinking. (Hazel Katz, Brenau University former chapter treasurer)

It Takes a Village

Each semester Elon University education majors pair with 90 K-8th grade readers and their parents for weekly afterschool tutoring in downtown Burlington at May Memorial Library. The outreach also addresses the need for books in impoverished households. Students who complete their semester of tutoring go with their tutor to redeem gift cards to buy books that meet their reading needs and interests. (Kurt R. Moore, Elon)

Just One Book

This effort complements a 2014-15 University of Maryland Eastern Shore initiative that its students read at least one book: The Immortal Lift of Henrietta Lacks. Rebecca Skloot's 2010 bestseller brings relevant scientific, historical, cultural, and current events to the historically black university. Chapter members provide free copies of it and sponsor an essay contest about it. …